Purer Porsche 911 GT planned: less speed, more feel?

A simpler, more driver-focused Porsche 911 GT model is said to be on the cards to cater to purists that have been alienated by the new track-oriented GT3 and GT3 RS models, according to Autocar UK.

Stuttgart reportedly acknowledges that the gulf between all-out track pace and driver enjoyment has now become so broad, it cannot engineer one model to have the breadth that can reconcile both extremes. Thus, the new car will be completely separate from current GT and RS models, set up specifically to maximise feel, response and driver interaction, rather than simply clocking in the fastest lap times.

Among the changes planned is a narrower body used on regular rear-wheel drive 911s, rather than the broad Carrera 4-style hips as seen on the GT3. It will also lose much of the aerodynamic addenda that is characteristic of the current GT range, and feature skinnier tyres with less grip; the chassis will also be set up for better handling on-the-limit, instead of more grip.

Most importantly, it will also receive a manual transmission ditched by the now PDK-only GT3 and GT3 RS when the 997 generation was put to pasture in 2011, which will please a lot of us in the office. Under the engine bay, the car will most likely feature a version of the 3.8 litre naturally-aspirated flat-six used on the GT3, despite the rest of the non-GT 911 models set to go the turbocharging route with the upcoming facelift.

The naming of the new GT – expected to arrive next year at the earliest – is still up in the air. Porsche has reportedly trademarked the GT5 name, but the British publication said such nomenclature would indicate the car would slot below the Cayman GT4 in the lineup. The Club Sport name, previously used on an option package in 1987, has also been dismissed, as it was thought to have more track-focused connotations.

Porsche 911 GT3 at Sepang

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